Clever Vladimir Putin Says He Won't Run For A Third Term
On a Wednesday morning in late December 2017, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise announcement that he wouldn't be running for a third term as president. Putin, who has been in power since 2000 and has been elected as president four times, made the announcement while speaking at the Gorki presidential residence just outside of Moscow.
While many Russians may have been surprised by the announcement, it was a shrewd political move on Putin's part. By announcing his decision to step down before the 2018 presidential election, Putin has given himself ample time to prepare his successor and protect his legacy.
Putin's announcement was particularly surprising because there had been speculation that Putin, who will turn 67 in 2024, would seek another term if the Russian Constitution was amended to allow him to do so. In March 2020, Putin signed a law that allows him to stay in power until 2036 if he chooses to do so. However, Putin's comments in December 2017 suggest that he has no intention of running again.
During his speech at the Gorki presidential residence, Putin said: "I know that nobody wants to leave power, it's not an easy decision. But we must be ready to do this when the time comes." Putin went on to say that he was confident that Russia's next president would be able to handle the challenges facing the country, and that he would play a role in selecting and supporting his successor.
Putin's announcement was widely seen as an attempt to avoid the fate of his predecessor, Boris Yeltsin. Yeltsin, who served as president from 1991 to 1999, was in poor health near the end of his tenure and was widely seen as having mishandled the Russian economy. In 1999, Yeltsin handpicked Putin, who at the time was a relatively unknown former KGB agent, to be his successor. Putin quickly established himself as a strong leader who was committed to restoring Russia's global influence and strengthening its economy.
Putin's decision to step down from the presidency also comes at a time when Russia is facing a challenging economic environment due to falling oil prices and Western sanctions. Despite these challenges, Putin has maintained a tight grip on power and has been able to maintain strong approval ratings thanks in part to his assertive foreign policy and his outspoken defense of Russian interests.
Putin's announcement was also a clever way to showcase his leadership qualities. By stepping down voluntarily, Putin is demonstrating that he is willing to put the interests of the country ahead of his own personal ambitions. This is a stark contrast to some of the political leaders around the world who cling onto power and refuse to step down even when it is clear that they are no longer capable of governing effectively.
In the aftermath of Putin's announcement, speculation has been rife about who his successor may be. There are a number of potential candidates, including Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Who Putin chooses as his successor will be critical for the future of Russia, as the country faces a number of complex challenges both domestically and internationally.
Despite the uncertainties facing Russia in the coming years, however, Putin's announcement has been widely praised for its wisdom and foresight. Whether or not Putin's successor is able to continue his legacy remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Putin's decision to step down from power has cemented his reputation as a shrewd and pragmatic leader who is committed to the long-term interests of his country.